Scarlet Bond : Cursed to Love

Episode------ 12

The marble council chamber felt colder than the rain-soaked world outside. Shadows pooled around ancient pillars, and the silence before judgment felt as heavy as chains.

Areum stood beside Junseo, her fingers entwined with his. Their clasp wasn't perfect — trembling, uncertain — but it was real. And for the first time, it wasn't a command that bound them, but choice.

Across from them, Park leaned casually against a pillar, smug satisfaction etched into every line of his face. In his hand, the damning documents rested like a blade waiting to fall.

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One elder finally spoke, voice gravelly with age. "Seo Junseo. Han Areum. You stand accused of binding your fates through forbidden rites, bringing shame and danger upon us all."

Areum's heart pounded so hard she could barely hear the words. Beside her, Junseo remained still — shoulders squared, eyes locked on the council, as if he could shield her by sheer force of will.

Another elder continued, "Do you deny the charge?"

Junseo's voice cut through the hush. "I do not deny that our families cursed us. But we did not choose this. And we have tried — in every way — to break it."

Areum drew a shaky breath. "If love can break the curse," she said, surprising even herself with how steady her voice sounded, "then maybe love isn't the crime. Maybe it's the answer."

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A murmur rippled through the chamber — elders exchanging glances, council scribes pausing mid-scratch of their quills. Park's lips curled into a smirk, as if amused by the audacity of hope.

"You speak of love," Park interjected smoothly, "but what proof have you? Words are wind. The curse still stands. And your so-called love has already broken council law."

Junseo's jaw clenched, a vein in his neck tightening. "What do you want, Park?" he demanded. "To see us kneel? To see her ruined?"

"I want the truth acknowledged," Park said, stepping forward, voice oiled with false civility. "That your union is born of manipulation and blood, not choice."

---

For a heartbeat, the chamber felt suspended between past and future — as if even the walls strained to hear what would come next.

Then the head elder spoke: "We will deliberate. You may leave."

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Outside the chamber, the corridors seemed darker than before. Areum leaned against a column, breath catching in her chest.

"Junseo," she whispered, "if they exile you —"

"They won't exile just me," he interrupted softly. "They will punish us both. Unless…"

"Unless I turn against you," she finished, voice cracking.

His hand brushed hers, barely there, but she felt it as if he had carved his touch into her skin. "I would never ask you to do that," he said. "Even now."

---

Before she could answer, Minho appeared, hair damp, expression grim. "Areum," he said urgently, "you need to see something."

He held out a page — brittle, yellowed with age, edges burnt as if someone had tried to destroy it.

Areum took it, hands trembling. The handwriting was familiar: her mother's.

> "To my daughter: The curse was born from power, but it can only die in surrender. When you let go of the fear to lose, love will free you."

Areum's eyes burned with sudden tears. My mother knew. She left this for me.

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Junseo leaned over, reading silently. "Your mother… she knew this might happen."

"She loved someone too," Areum whispered. "And maybe… she lost him because she couldn't let go."

Junseo's gaze was raw, stripped of pretense. "Areum, if you choose me now — truly, freely — it has to be your choice alone. Not the curse, not fear, not even revenge against Park."

---

Her chest ached with truths she hadn't dared speak. "And if I do?" she asked. "What if loving you means losing everything else?"

"Then we lose together," Junseo said. "But at least it will be our choice."

---

The moment stretched between them, full of all the things they had never been able to say. The weight of history pressed down, yet in that quiet, it felt as if the curse itself held its breath.

Slowly, Areum lifted the page, pressing it to her heart. "Then we fight together," she whispered. "Not for power. For us."

---

Behind them, Minho spoke, voice low. "Park won't stop here. He's already met with the lower council. He wants you both stripped of your titles."

"And if that fails?" Junseo asked.

"He has worse," Minho warned. "Proof of old crimes your grandfather buried. If he releases them, the council won't just exile you — they might imprison you both."

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A shiver ran through Areum, but she forced herself to stand taller. "Then we must find what Park fears most," she said. "No man clings to secrets unless he fears losing something too."

Junseo's eyes flickered — respect, surprise, and something warmer. "Areum… you sound like a Seo now," he murmured.

"No," she corrected softly, stepping closer until their shoulders brushed. "I sound like myself."

---

In the hush before the council's verdict, they stood side by side — no longer master and bound bride, but something more dangerous: two hearts choosing each other in spite of fear.

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Teaser for Ep 13:

The council's judgment falls.

Park makes his boldest move yet.

And Areum faces the ultimate question: Will love free them — or finish what the curse began?

See you in Episode 13!